The Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, is calling on countries to live up to the promise of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Ms. Watt Cloutier made her remarks in Punta del Este in Uruguay where she is attending the first Conference of the Parties of countries that have ratified the Convention.
The work now really begins, she reminded delegates. Each nation must evaluate its current legislative toxics toolkit to determine the effectiveness of these instruments. All donor nations must ensure appropriate resources are available to states in need. I call upon all nations of good will who have yet to ratify to do so quickly.
The Stockholm Convention on POPs entered into force May 17, 2004. Ms. Watt-Cloutier pointed to a recent report on toxic substances affecting peoples of Arctic Russia as a reminder of the urgency of taking further action on identifying and eliminating POPs.
Ms. Watt-Cloutier also recognized the connection between the north and the south and presented the President of the Conference of the Parties from Uruguay with an Inuit carving representing action. Let this drum dancer symbolize our connectivity, north and south and call us all to action. By hosting the first Stockholm COP, Mr. President, Uruguay has answered the call.
Ms. Watt-Cloutier is the recent recipient of the United Nations Environment Programmes Champion of the Earth Award, and the coveted Sophie Prize for her tireless efforts to bring the Inuit voice to the world.
For Further Information Contact: Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chair ICC 613-563-2642